Two American paratroopers stationed at a US military base in Italy have been arrested for allegedly beating, raping and robbing a pregnant Romanian prostitute in her six month, whose sex services they originally offered to pay for.

The suspected rape happened in the city of Vicenza in north
eastern part of Italy on Monday night last week, Italian media
reported.

The suspects are believed to have agreed to pay for the sexual
favors of a 24-year-old Romanian girl. But after the three
reached a secluded area, they allegedly decided to get what they
wanted for free.

The two soldiers reportedly beat up and raped the prostitute, who
is in her sixth month of pregnancy, and this went on for a period
of three hours. Then they allegedly left their victim in the
remote field, and made off with her purse.

The victim’s lawyer Alessandra Bocchi told journalists that her
back is badly scratched and her face and entire body, including
her belly, are bruised from the beating.

The life of the baby is not in danger.

Both soldiers are serving at the Caserma Del Din, a US military
base hosting the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. The media
identified them as Gray Gerelle Lamarcus, 22, and Edil McCough,
21.

Both were ordered to be placed under arrest by an Italian
prosecutor. McCough remains at the base, while Lamarcus was
admitted to the San Bortolo hospital after an attempted suicide.
Ironically, the victim of the rape was also treated in the same
hospital.

Some reports say that Lamarcus has a record of sexual violence
and allegedly was involved in a rape of a 17-year-old girl in
Vicenza back in December 2013.

Vicenza’s mayor, Achille Variati, has since sent a letter to
Italy’s Justice Minister Andrea Orlando requesting that the two
soldiers are tried by an Italian court. US military has
agreements with all countries hosting their bases, which allows
the US to claim jurisdiction over any prosecution against
American troops.

The Italians say if the trial is held in the US, it would be
difficulty for the victim and potential witnesses to travel there
and testify, which would undermine the case against the
perpetrators.

Prostitution is legal in Italy, although pimping or running a
brothel is not. Immigrants are allowed to sell sex, if they have
a work permit. The victim of the violence in Vicenza is said to
have been living in Italy for about a year.